Choosing Between a Gas or Wood Heater
Posted on: 27 June 2017
A heater or fireplace in your home can add warmth and style, creating a great focal point in a room; it makes a space cosier and more inviting, especially during cold winter weather. When you're ready to have a heater installed, you will usually need to choose between gas or wood; since both have their advantages and disadvantages, note a few differences between these models so you can ensure you choose the best one for your home.
Overall feeling and look
The flames in wood heaters have a much more natural look to them; they will burn red and orange, move around and "dance," and create a crackling sound from the wood. You may also see embers pop up from the wood, something that may enhance the overall look of the fireplace.
The flames from a gas heater will always be bright blue; the heater also doesn't crackle or produce embers. If you're thinking of a fireplace for something you can actually sit and stare at, you might choose the more natural experience of wood.
Cleaning
One big advantage of a gas heater is that it rarely needs cleaning, as the flames don't create smoke or ash. Wood heaters need regular cleaning so you avoid burning embers and uncontrolled flames; dirty chimneys can even lead to house fires. Be sure you figure the cost of this cleaning when considering a wood heater.
Convenience
A gas heater can usually be installed in any room of the home; you can even have a heater in a small space, such as a bathroom or breakfast nook off the kitchen. A gas heater will need a vent for the gas fumes, but these are typically somewhat easy to run through the home's walls and to the outside.
A wood fireplace can be installed in different rooms of the home, but it will need more construction work if it's not connected directly to a chimney. You may also need a larger space for a wood heater than a gas heater, as a wood fireplace needs space for wood to burn as well as for air to circulate and feed the flame.
A gas heater is also easier to start; most work with the push of a button. A wood fireplace needs dry kindling, a properly placed log or stack of wood, and some attending while it burns, to move the wood around and ensure it's being fed adequate air. You also need to be cautious and ensure you've properly put out the flame, to reduce the risk of the fire starting up again.
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